Please Mom

LIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!! lie thru yr little unschooled teeth!! everything will be fine. ameripasses are great great things, just say you have one, then, do whatever the hell you want. love, daniel

New Year's! On it's way! And I'm....eh, stuck...Well, not stuck. I finally convinced my parents to let me go to one place and I've picked that place but then againI want to go to Marina's party! And I want to visit some West Coast people! And I want to go to Texas! And Florida! And the East Coast! And to Colorado! And a bunch of other places too! (whoo, got excited there.) Anyway. There's a lot of places to go...

So people. How do you best convince your parents to let you go places? I can pay for it all without borrowing money. I told them that I feel very safe traveling with Ryland (that's who I'd be going to Santa Barbara with.) I explained the route I want to take, what modes of transportation... I told them that I'd give them a list of all the names and addresses, telephone numbers, parent's names, whatever, of the people I'm going to go visit. I'll get her bus numbers, I'll give her _____ and _____ and everything else too. And I'm thinking that I've pretty much got mom convinced but it all may fall down when she asks dad...he's almost for sure going to say no. Which sucks. *sniff* So...advice! Tips! Help! Especially from you travelers that don't know every detail before you take off...you just Go! That's who I want to hear from especially. How do you get your parents to let you do that, etc....

Hurry hurry hurry I don't have much time.

Jasmine

Update! I did it! I got it! I have one lovely 30 day bus pass on it's way to my house. I'm going from Selena's to Marina's and then... who the hell knows. We'll see, I suppose. I don't know who I'll be visiting or when yet, but I'm going to make some calls soon, I think. Whoo! ~Jasmine

Jasmine

Breathe, baby. Here's my advice: Stay calm, yet project that this does mean a lot to you. Stress that it's not costing her a cent. Show her your exact schedule, so she doesn't have any vague scenarios to play out in her head. Show her exactly when you'll be where, and even promise to call at various points if that makes her happy. Also maybe tell her about who you'll be with, even showing her pictures, again so she doesn't spin off into mental scenarios. Also stress that you are responsible, as you are, and mention recent accomplishments or events that may prove that to her more specifically. Be specific.

Also, spend good quality time with her, and promise to spend more when you come back. Try to explain to her that traveling only enriches your life back home, not detracts from it. Tell her you love and appreciate her [my reflex here was to write "and all that shit"]. And keep breathing!

Good luck! Jessica (wb)

I don't know. But I have a similar problem. I'd like to meet some of you, but I have no idea how to convince my parents to let me meet total strangers. - Nikki

• where not 'total strangers!' where...where...where um -100%us-smile i would get your pairents to meet them. see if then its cool with them. it might make them feel a little better with the idea :) good luck!

heather

• first of all, you stop refering to the people you want to meet as "total strangers". Talk with your parents lots about your life, the things that are important to you, and these online friends. Let your parents get used to the idea that these online people are your friends. Let your parents know that you're spending lots of time talking to these people. Tell your parents about them. Show your parents some of the emails. Tell them about the conversations you've been having. Do this way, way in advance of the time when you say to them that you want to actually meet these people. - Christy

• I've met some friends from the 'net, and...yeah! I'm here and unscathed and it was fun. :D My advice is...bring your parents if possible, and meet in a public place! - Emma

• All good suggestions. Perhaps I'll try them someday. Thanks. - Nikki

• Prove to them you are seriouse and that you can do it, provide lists of costs for transport, dates times places. adults love shit like that. :)

• Assure them that the people you are staying with are wonderful peace loveing good citizens, give them the phone number of parents of families you are staying with and tell them to call and say hi...

• See if you can travel with someone else, that seems to help.

• More then anything, plan the whole thing out so that its so perfect and so well timed that it proves you mean it.

oh and

• getting your parents to talk to or hear about other teenager who have traveled a lot never hurts either. :)

  -Dawn

Please mom don't leave me Please realize that I'm young and while I'm still that way try and keep me

I try my hardest to please you

don't I?

Please?

My parents let me travel more, simply because I promise them something in return. when I get back I write up a little travel log of what I did, and things I "learned." Usually an essay or something like that. It doesn't take much work, just a couple of hours, and a little goes a long way. Also having responsible, nice friends visit so they can get to know them, and see that these are the kind of people you are friends with. I won't repeat what has been stated above. -mike